Overcoming Difficulties

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1908

Overcoming Difficulties

“MUCH more efficient work can be done in the canvassing field than has yet been done. The canvasser should not rest satisfied unless he is constantly improving. He should make thorough

preparation, but should not be content with a set form of words; he should give the Lord a chance to work with his efforts and impress his mind. The love of Jesus abiding in his heart will enable him to devise means to gain access to individuals and families. . . . Look at the Waldenses. See what plans they devised that the light of the gospel might shine into benighted minds. We should not labor with the expectation of receiving our reward in this life, but with our eyes fixed steadfastly upon the prize at the end of the race. Men and women are wanted now who are as true to duty as the needle to the pole—men and women who will work without having their way smoothed and every obstacle removed.” “The canvassing work is God’s means of reaching many that would not otherwise be impressed with the truth.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, pages 396, 406, 405.

From this instruction it will be seen that God desires that every canvasser should seek to devise means of getting the truth into the homes of the people, even in the face of most discouraging and forbidding conditions; and, that “the love of Jesus abiding in his heart” will enable him to do this. As an illustration of this principle, we give the following experience:—

Some time ago, a humble, God-fearing canvasser was sent to a certain Texas city to canvass for one of our books. It seemed impossible for him to interest the people, and for a time it looked as if he would make a complete failure. However, he did not give up, and seek to find some good excuse to return home; but sought God earnestly for wisdom and guidance. About that time, there arose a municipal question of general interest, which received much attention. The daily papers discussed it freely, and contained frequent articles from the leading citizens. In this, our faithful worker saw his opportunity. He was not slow to grasp it, for he believed that the Lord had heard his prayers. He began to write for the papers himself. His articles were so clear-cut and convincing that the papers were glad to publish them free of charge. In these articles, he gave frequent quotations from his book, always being particular to give the title of the book from which they were taken. In this way the people became interested in that book, and by the sound principles set forth in the quotations published were made to see what a good book it was. As a result, this brother took orders for, and delivered, several hundred copies in the very city where at one time it looked as if he could do nothing.

Now suppose he had said, when the outlook was so discouraging, ‘It’s no use: I might as well quit where I am, and go home.’ How different the result would have been! Eternity alone can reveal the good which he accomplished by his perseverance in placing so many books in the homes of the people, to say nothing of his own satisfaction and financial advantage. May his experience be an object-lesson to others, to devise, under the blessing of God, a way out of every difficulty. “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” Matt. 3:9.

In the circulation of our publications, it often occurs that where conditions are the less favorable, more books are sold. This is one difference between the work of God and that of the world, so that “hard times” need not stop us from working. The Lord is using marvelous means to circulate our books in many of the European countries, where there are difficulties and hardships of which we in America know nothing. The work in these difficult fields is making tremendous strides. God is blessing the efforts put forth to overcome every obstacle, and the message is going with mighty power. The workers are often sorely perplexed to know how to surmount some governmental ruling or other hindrance, but they ask God to lead them in devising just the right plan, and then they faithfully and vigorously set at work to find it. They believe that God will direct them, and he does. Let us remember that God is the same in America as in the regions beyond, and that “man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.”